Richmond’s Murray Janus remembered

Murray J. Janus, a Richmond criminal defense lawyer for 50 years, died Saturday at age 74.

Mr. Janus was the former president of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the John Marshall Inn of Court.

His death was announced by the NACDL in a new release. Mr. Janus was a life member of that organization.

“Murray Janus was the epitome of a criminal defense lawyer and the model of a dignified professional for me and all who knew him,” said NACDL president Steven D. Benjamin, also from Richmond, in a news release. “He taught us by his example the importance of intellect, hard work, and knowledge in the representation of our clients.”

“It’s a sad day for the nation’s criminal defense bar,” said NACDL executive director Norman L. Reimer. “We have lost a great role model. The entire NACDL community extends its condolences to Murray Janus’s family,” Reimer said.

Murray represented me in a case many years ago. We spoke recently when I shared with him that many of the items of the PSA that he fought for, had never been complied with. He sounded sad that he could not handle the case to closure…It was nice talking to him. He was a very competent attorney.